INDEX OF NAVAL AIR SQUADRONS

846

squadron

The squadron officially formed at Quonset Point, USA in April 1943
as a torpedo bomber reconnaissance Avenger squadron, and subsequently embarked
on HMS Ravager in July 1943 to the UK.

In December 1943 a fighter flight of 4 Wildcat Vs was added and the
squadron embarked on HMS Tracker in January 1944 for Gibraltar convoy duties,
and subsequently convoys to Kola Inlet during which U-Boats were sighted
and attacked on 6 occasions on the outbound voyage and 2 U-Boats attacked
on the return.

U-Boat U355, was sunk on 1 April, 1944 in the Barents Sea southwest
of Bear Island, Norway, by depth charges from an 846 sqdn Avenger aircraft
from the escort carrier HMS Tracker and the destroyer HMS Beagle while
in pursuit of convoy JW.58.

The squadron disembarked at Limvardy when the ship was damaged in June
1944, joining 15 Group RAF Coastal Command.

In July 1944, the squadron embarked on HMS Trumpeter for operations
off Norway, mine-laying till September 1944, and in December a detachment
was formed and transferred to HMS Premier for a few days. The remainder
of the squadron operating from HMS Trumpeter or Hatston over the rest of
1944 and into 1945.

The squadron disembarked from HMS Trumpeter for the final time in May
1945, and subsequently the fighter flight was disbanded. After VE Day the
rest of the squadron prepared for embarking on HMS Illustrious as part
of the 4th Carrier Air Group, but a change of plans led to the squadron
becoming a trials unit renumbering as 751 squadron and ceasing to exist
at Machrihanish in September 1945.

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